Student Unions & Cities

Councillor Nick Small

But,

But, Liverpool is the

fastest growing

economy outside

London

Changing views of the city

• 1960s urban theory – cities decaying – part of the problem

• Suburbanisation/exurbaisation

• Managed decline of cities

• Give people skills to move elsewhere

• Focus on quality of life for those remaining

•

Changing views of the city

• Post-Fordist view of cities

• Renaissance of cities

• Cities part of solution no longer a problem

• Why?

•

Changing views of the city

• Knowledge-based economy – innovation

• Alan Scott – urban geographer – UCLA

•

Global City Regions (2001)

Cities are “environments where

uncertainty prevails”

Changing views of the city

• Richard Florida – urban theorist – University of Toronto

•

The Rise of The Creative Class (2002)

Cities with high levels of “high bohemians”

(technology workers, musicians, artists

etc) – “creative class” = high levels of

economic growth AND this environment

attracts more creative people = virtuous

circle = even more growth

Changing views of the city

• Florida (2012) – 3Ts of economic development

•

Technology Talent

Tolerance

Changing views of the city

• Richard Glaeser – economist – Harvard University

•

Triumph of the City (2011)

Cities make is richer, smarter,

greener, healthier and happier

Changing views of the city

• UK Government - The State of the English Cities Report (Office of the

Deputy Prime Minister, 2006) – 1997-2003 the share of the population

living in all cities had remained constant around 58%, the share of new

jobs created in cities rose from 63% in 1997 to 80% in 2003

• These jobs have disproportionately been in high-value sectors

• The State of the English Cities Report: “Cities matter because the

productivity benefits they provide to knowledge-intensive businesses

are important to regional and national prosperity.....Cities provide an

opportunity to narrow the economic gap between our regions and to

tackle deprivation at the local and neighbourhood levels.”

•

Changing views of the city

• Sub-National Review (2007) – City Regions

• Local Democracy, Economic Development and Construction Act 2009 –

Duty to promote economic growth

• 2010 Local Enterprise Partnership – move away from regionalism

• City Deals 2012

• Lord Heseltine (2012) – No Stone Left Unturned - 89 recommendations

to strengthen role of cities in economic development

• Budget & SSR (2013) – Local Growth Fund – Local Growth Teams –

Combined Authorities/Metro Mayors?

•

How have universities responded?

• Focus used to be mainly student experience, teaching & learning &

employability

• Increasing focus on economic development as well – universities as

partners as cities – civic engagement

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How have universities responded?

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How can student unions respond?

• Economic development agenda

• Cities as good place to be a graduate as well as student

• Skills agenda – Level 4, Level 5 & Level 6 skills

•